GenAI browser assistants risk user privacy, study finds
GenAI browser assistants may pose privacy risks, collecting and sharing sensitive data without user knowledge, UC Davis study reveals.
Why it matters
- A UC Davis study shows GenAI browser assistants can collect and share sensitive user data without consent.
By the numbers
- 9 GenAI browser assistants were studied, including Monica, Sider, ChatGPT for Google, Merlin, MaxAI, Perplexity, HARPA.AI, TinaMind and Copilot.
- One extension, Merlin, was found to collect form inputs, including social security numbers.
The big picture
- The study highlights the need for stronger safeguards and transparency to protect user privacy.
- Some assistants shared data with third-party servers, like Google Analytics, raising concerns about targeted ads and profiling.
What they're saying
- Users express concerns about AI integration and data privacy, with some drawing parallels to Windows Recall.
- Some commenters note that data collection is a longstanding internet business model.
Caveats
- The study was conducted on a specific set of GenAI assistants and may not represent all available options.
What’s next
- Researchers suggest that addressing these risks will require efforts across the GenAI ecosystem and user awareness.